Industrial Property Rights

The Icelandic Patent Office is a government agency under the auspices of the Minister of Industries and Innovation. The Office was established on 1 July 1991 and assumed responsibility for the patent and trademark department of the Ministry of Industry. The Office's organisation and scope of operation is defined by Advertisement No 187/1991 and Regulation No 188/1991. The Office's role is to be responsible for issues relating to patents, trademarks, design protection, municipal emblems and other comparable rights as provided for by law, regulations and international agreements on the protection of intellectual property rights in the field of industry. The Office is under obligation to provide private persons, institutions and commercial undertakings with information and consultancy services on matters pertaining to intellectual property rights in industry. Moreover, the Office is under obligation to ensure that information on new technology and knowledge protected by intellectual property laws is made available to the public.